Storm brews over use of DC rules in Pune

A group of urban planners have raised their voices against the implementation of the DC rules. The civic body has refuted their claims saying that all processes have been followed to using the DC rulesTNN | May 29, 2017, 12:00 IST

PUNE: Newer constructions in the city may get entangled in a legal battle after activists questioned the implementation of the new development control (DC) rules even before the development plan (DP) for old city limits has been approved.

A group of urban planners have raised their voices against the implementation of the DC rules. The civic body has refuted their claims saying that all processes have been followed to using the DC rules.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in January had declared that the state has approved the development plan (DP) for the old city areas.

The government's approval came a few days before the civic election. Fadnavis had said that the government has maintained 850 of 937 reservations proposed in the plan.

According to the activists, the process to follow the DC rules is to first complete the development plan and then draft the DC rules in accordance with it. But the PMC has come up with these rules without the DP having been finalised, they said.

“The technical process for the DP is yet to be completed. The process of suggestions and objections has ended. A final decision on those changes has not come in as yet,” Major Gen S C N Jatar (retd), founder of Nagrik Chetana Manch, a citizens’ group, said.

He added that a group of urban planners and activists, including him, have raised objections during suggestions and objections process but they were not addressed.

“Speedy completion of the DP process is key to resolve this matter. A quick implementation of the DC rules is the need of the hour. They should be implemented but there should be no legal loophole. Somebody may take undue advantage, if the matter goes to court. Half-hearted implementation of the DC rules will give scope for such misuse,” Vivek Velankar, founder of Sajag Nagrik Manch, a citizens group, said. Court matters due this dispute can cause problems to buyers, putting the legality of new real estate projects in doubt.

The civic body has said it has followed due process. “The DP is approved by the government. Only some modifications in the DP made by the state were considered as major changes and hence, suggestions and objections for those points were sought. There is no restriction on using the new DC rules. These new rules can be implemented. The state has issued notification regarding it,” city engineer Prashant Waghmare said.